Volkswagen Amarok Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Amarok car check
Is the Volkswagen Amarok reliable? We analysed 204,529 real MOT tests across 25,853 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Amarok? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Amarok is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Amarok.
Volkswagen Amarok Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Amarok. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Amarok MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Amarok to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Amarok Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volkswagen Amarok models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volkswagen Amarok Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Amarok owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Amarok MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Amarok year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,254 | 87.0% | 35,930 | 51,310 | 73,162 |
| 2019 | 14,541 | 86.7% | 36,690 | 54,618 | 77,564 |
| 2018 | 18,585 | 85.0% | 41,926 | 61,341 | 86,473 |
| 2017 | 19,129 | 84.8% | 45,746 | 66,642 | 93,350 |
| 2016 | 24,822 | 83.5% | 47,994 | 70,987 | 99,144 |
| 2015 | 32,743 | 82.1% | 52,382 | 76,517 | 105,999 |
| 2014 | 29,394 | 81.6% | 55,036 | 81,130 | 112,545 |
| 2013 | 27,272 | 80.0% | 60,141 | 88,614 | 121,567 |
| 2012 | 21,379 | 76.6% | 60,992 | 89,977 | 122,752 |
| 2011 | 10,989 | 75.7% | 61,718 | 92,648 | 126,940 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Amarok Last?
Based on 25,853 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Amarok Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Amarok
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.0% MOT pass rate from 4,254 tests
75.7% MOT pass rate from 10,989 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Amarok is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.0% across 4,254 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Amarok Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Amarok THIS CAR | 81.9% | 204,529 | 75,156 mi | 15 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| Aston Martin DB9 | 89.4% | 83,149 | 28,217 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Amarok outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Amarok you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen AmarokShould you buy a used Volkswagen Amarok?
The Volkswagen Amarok has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.9% across 204,529 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Volkswagen Amarok with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Volkswagen Amarok owner drives around 9,316 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volkswagen Amarok models stay on UK roads for around 15 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.